Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Delaware
Oklahoma State Defeats Delaware 6-4
February 24, 2002 | Cowboy Baseball
Feb. 24, 2002
by Charlie Cavell
Sophomore pitcher Scott Baker, in his return to his hometown of Shreveport, struck out six and allowed just one earned run in four innings to help lead Oklahoma State to a 6-4 win over University of Delaware in the Shreveport College Classic Sunday at Fair Grounds Field.
Starting his first game in 2002 and his first since April 18, 2001, Baker gave up five hits and two runs, but did not allow a walk to earn his first win of the season.
"It felt great to be home," said the sophomore right-hander. "I can't think of a better place to make my first start of the year than in my hometown. My arm felt the best it has in a long time."
Because of a pregame decision by OSU coach Tom Holliday, Baker factored in the decision and was awarded the win, but that was not Holliday's main concern.
"I thought he (Baker) threw well today," said Holliday. "He made some mistakes with his location a couple of times, but I thought it was a good first outing. Getting him healthy and in the mix is very important for us. I'm not fooling around when I say we'll need him to win a championship."
Sophomore right-hander Jimmy Rhodes, who came on in relief of Baker in the fifth, struck out seven and gave up just two run to earn his first save of the year.
The Cowboys scored three runs in the bottom of the first on Nebasett Brown's three-run homer. Brown's homer plated Jeff Salazar and Kenny Hansley, who had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning.
The Cowboys added two more runs in the third and one in the fourth, then withstood the Blue Hen comeback to hang on for the 6-4 win.
Hansley and Rob Watson both went 3-for-4 for the Cowboys. Hansley added a double, a RBI and two runs scored, while Watson had two RBIs to pace the OSU attack.
With the win OSU improves its record to 6-2, while Delaware's record falls to 0-6.
The Cowboys will be back in action next weekend against St. Johns in Stillwater.
